Data Management Services:

Giving people what they didn’t know they wanted

Amanda NixonPresented Thursday 25 September 2014

By CAUL/ANDS Webinar

eResearch@Flinders

• A service in the Library to support eResearch at Flinders

• Operating since April 2012• The Library was already embedded in teaching and learning –

this was the start of getting as embedded in the research process– Using core library skills to deliver

• Data Management advice and assistance• Referral to eResearch tools and services• Open scholarship support (including the University’s digital repository)• Statistical consulting

– All underpinned with a strong service ethic

eResearch @Flinders

Mission Statement

Operationally•ANDS projects (Seeding the Commons and Data Capture)•ANDS Metadata Store project•Small restructure in the Library

Strategically•Recognition that the University has significant investments in eResearch•New tools were in the pipeline•Important to get value

How did this happen?

Mission Statement

The Library put its hand up because:•Existing relationships with researchers •Strength in the area

– Already engaged in previous ANDS projects

•Ways to use existing skills– Metadata– Open access/licensing/repository– Referral

•To diversity and strengthen services to research

Why the Library?

How did you get to do that?

• I have a really varied background:• Flexible Delivery• Liaison (Law/Humanities)• Digital resources• Repositories/open access/ERA

• Had connections that• saw me brought into the first ANDS projects• Nominated as the Flinders rep for the first round of

ANDS bootcamps• Built up knowledge and networks from there

Do you do it by yourself?

• NO!

• Liz WalkleyHall – Open Scholarship and Data Management Librarian

• Yasmine Shaheem – eResearch Support Librarian• Plus some help from casual staff

• No one does data management full time and we try to spread the skills and experience between us

ReportingMore about the data management bitWe provide •Data management planning services including

• Referral to collaboration options• eResearch tools and services (Eg Quadrant)• Assistance with ARC funding applications

•Research higher degree candidate training•Creation of metadata about research datasets•We don’t have a data repository – but leverage federally funded data storage for open access datasets (including handling applications)•Provide advice about compliance with publisher and funder requirements for open data

ReportingWe work with

• Researchers!• Other library staff• Flinders Information

Technology Services• Security• Infrastructure• Applications

• Research Services Office• ARC grant

requirements

• Office of Graduate Research• Digital Theses

• University Archivist• External eResearch

services providers (especially eResearch SA)

ReportingChallenges

• It’s still new and special – What is it that you do exactly?• Can be hard to maintain the “bounce” when doing lots of

outreach and advocacy• Not all of the new eResearch tools have been delivered

according to plan so there is some expectation management Continued engagement with researchers about their metadata

Responsibilities – eResearch

• We’re still here! Yay!• Inclusion in the research higher degree training schedule• Inclusion in the Information Services and the Research

operational plans• Great uptake of eResearch services by Flinders

researchers (almost 200TB of Federally funded data storage so far)

• People are now starting to come to us

Successes

Responsibilities – Data Management

• ARC grant application requirements• Publisher open data requirements• Managing digital theses (and therefore associated

data)• Federally funded data storage

Gotchas

Responsibilities – Digital Reositories

• Plan to mainstream services through Liaison Librarians – when?

• New developments in local IT infrastructure• See which way the wind blows with the future of

eResearch infrastructure investment• Cross fingers for inclusion of datasets into future

rounds of research assessment exercises (eg ERA or its successor)

Where next?

• I never thought I’d be doing this when I grew up• There is plenty of room for non technical people in

eResearch support• Cultural change takes time and persistence• You need to really like working with researchers and

appreciate how they work• Communication is the key!

Reflections

Questions?

Amanda NixonManager, eResearch@FlindersAmanda.nixon@flinders.edu.au08 8201 5217